Signal device or indicator



8.8. AND M. E. JOHNSON.

v SIGNAL DEVICE 0R INDICATOR.

' APPLICATION FILED AU G.2I, I9I9. 1,381,561. Patented June 14, 1921.

2 $HEETSSHEET 1-1 S. S. AND M. E. JOHNSON. SIGNAL DEVICE 0R INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.2I, I919- Patented June 14; 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- UNITED STATES SAMUEL SYLVESTER' JOHNSON AND MARK E. JOHNSON, or

. SYLVANIA.'

PATENT OFFICE.

HARRISBURG, PENN SIGNAL nnvron 0R INDICATOR.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, SAMUEL S. J oHNsoN, and lVIARK E. JoHNsoN, citizens of the United States, residing at Harrisburg, in the county of Dauphin and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signal Devices or Indicators; and we do hereby declare the following to'bea full, clear, and exact descriptionpof the invention, such as will enable others skilled .in the art to which it appertains to. make and use the same.

The present invention relates to a signal device or indicator designed especially for use on automobiles and other motor vehicles, and alms iZO Pl'OVlClG' a novel and improved device of that character for signaling to the trafiic and pedestrians the intentions of the operator to turn or stop, so as to avoid collisions and accidents.

vide a novel and improved means for mounting the signal member for turning. movement, whereby the signal will be both attractive and conspicuous.

Another object is the provision of novel means for operating the signal member to give the signals.

A still further object is the provision of a signal member and operating means therefor, mounted on a post or standard in anovel and effective manner, which post can also be used as a support for a mirror or reflector for observing traffic in rear.

It is also the object to provide such a device which will be comparatively simple and inexpensive in construction, as well as being easy to operate and not liable to get out of order.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view, vhich will be apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed. it being understood that changes can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanyin g drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved signal device.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a vertical median section of the device.

Fig. i is an enlarged horizontal section Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 14 1921 Application filed August 21, 1919. Serial No. 318,959.

taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, showing the electrical circuits diagrammatically.

A tubular post or standard 1 is used as a support for the signal device, having its lower end screw threaded or otherwise secured within a base 2 that is secured on a. suitable support of the machine, such as the fender 3 of one of the. front wheels,

thereby disposing the device in" a convenient and consplcuous position; This post 1 can be used tosupport a mirror or reflector 4c ,whichis pivotally. connected to the upper ent sides 6, and a vertical'hub or sleeve 7 between the ends of said member or frame -mounted for rotation on the post 1, whereby :the slgnalmember can turn about a. vertical axis, ma horizontal plane. An apron ring 8 is secured on said post and is fitted loosely over the upper protruding end of the sleeve '7, to prevent moisture from passing clownwardly into said sleeve.

Mounted within the signal member, which is hollow, is a lamp socket 9 in which an electric lamp 1.0 is mounted for illuminating the signal member during the; night time, and the electrical conductors or wires 11 extend from the socket 9 through holes in the sleeve 7 and post 1 so as to extend downwardly through and out of the post to the source of electrical current. This lamp can be lighted during darkness, so that the signal can be observed at night as well as during the day time.

In order to support the signal member for free rotary movement and to inclose the actuating means for the signal member, a cup shaped casing 12 is mounted on the post 1 below the signal member, being provided at its bottom with a boss 13 embracing the post and secured thereto by means of a set screw 14 or the like. The signal member 5 is mounted on a turntable '15 disposed over the casing 12, and provided with depending aprons or flanges 16 on the outer and inner sides of the rim or edge of the casing 12, to prevent moisture and dirt from entering said casing. A disk 17 is secured on the post 1 in any suitable manner within the casing, and said disk and turntable 15 are provided with confronting ball races 18 in which anti-friction balls 19 travel, whereby they support the turntable and signal memcore into it,so as to turn the turntable and signal member in one direction, whereasthe rection from normal position when the other solenoid is energized. The signal member is retained in normal longitudinal position pointing straight forward by means of a suitable spring 26 which permits the signal member to turn toward either side, to point toward the right or toward the left, and when the respective solenoid is energized, the spring will return the signalmember to its normal position.

Each solenoid is disposed in anelectrical circuit 23, and said circuits have a common battery 24 or other source of electrical energy, and a controlling switch 25 operable manually at the steering wheel, instrument board or other suitable point, for closing said circuit, whereby to energize one solenoid or the other to turn the signal member accordingly. The conductors or wires of the electrical circuits can extend down through the post 1.

It is also possible to use other operating means for controlling the-signal member,

which may be housed within the casing 12 and extended through the post 1 to a point to be operated by the hand or foot.

The signal member will operate easily and quickly, and affords convenient and efiicient means for signaling the intentions of the operator to steer toward one side or the other, or to stop, so that operators of other vehicles as well as pedestrians will be warned. The signal member and its mountmg Wlll also be ornate and attractive in a ppearance, providing a desirable adjunct to the machine, in connection w1th the m1rror 4.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is slgnal member is turned in the opposlte d1- A signal device comprising a post, a sig nal member havlng a sleeve mounted for rotation on said post between the ends thereof, a cup-shaped casing having its bottom securedon said post under the signal memher, a turntable over said casing supporting the signal member and having an apron surrounding the casing, means for supporting said turntable for free rotation above said'casing, a ring on the post engaging over the upper end of said sleeve to hold the signal member and turntable clown and to prevent moisture and dirt from entering said sleeve, and actuating means within said casing connected to said turntable for turning it.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL S. JOHNSON.

MARK E. JOHNSON. Witnesses: v r GArirnnYNn L. CHARTERS, WM. H. CHARTERS. 

